The Mighty Quinns: Ronan by Kate Hoffmann Page A

just one day, he felt as if he knew her better than he’d ever known any another woman.
    Ronan reached for the front of her shirt and slowly brushed it over her shoulders, revealing the pretty camisole beneath. His lips traced a path from her mouth to her neck, the intoxicating scent of her skin making his body pulse with need.
    He wanted to rush, to tear off their clothes and bury himself in her warmth. He needed to know how far she’d go. This wasn’t some one-night stand, fueled by too many drinks and a need for release.
    He’d found a woman who was more than just a beautiful face and a willing and warm body. He liked Charlie. He felt the need to protect her from anything that might hurt her. Ronan knew it the moment she’d jumped off the boat to retrieve that dredging basket. She was clever and resourceful—and fearless.
    Ronan slipped his hands beneath her backside and picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and stretched out above her, their mouths still lost in a passionate kiss. Charlie pulled him down on top of her, wriggling until his hips fit perfectly against hers.
    “I thought you were hungry,” she murmured.
    “There are some things more important than food,” Ronan replied. He rolled to his side and drew back, taking in the perfect details of her face.
    When he smoothed her hair out of her eyes, she looked up at him. “Don’t stop,” she murmured.
    Ronan shrugged. “I won’t. It feels too good.”
    Her lips curled into a smile and she nodded. “I’ve only ever been with one man,” she said. “And we started dating when we were in high school. I’m not sure I know how to do this. Like a grown-up.”
    He ran his hand along her hip and slid it beneath her camisole. “There’s no instruction book, Charlie,” he said. “And they don’t teach this in school. We just have to figure it out as we go along.”
    “Then tell me how to start,” she said.
    “We’ve already started,” he said. Ronan pulled her into another kiss, his hand slipping beneath her shirt. He found the silky fabric of her bra and gently pulled it aside, cupping the soft flesh of her breast in his hand.
    Charlie moaned softly as his thumb grazed her nipple. Her lips were parted slightly and her eyes were closed. Pleasure suffused her expression and she shifted beside him, arching into his touch.
    In the end, it was enough to just touch her and kiss her. Though Ronan would have been happy to strip off their clothes and make love to her, he was willing to leave that for another time. He knew what he wanted and it was pretty clear that Charlie wanted the same.
    The day had been long and busy for both of them and as they continued to kiss and touch each other, Ronan felt exhaustion suffusing his body. He yawned, then quickly covered his mouth. “That wasn’t you,” he murmured.
    “Close your eyes,” she said. “Let’s just lie here for a few minutes and wait for our second wind.”
    “Are you tired, too?”
    “Hmmm. I had to do my work and admire you at the same time. That takes a lot out of a girl.” She nuzzled her face into his chest. “You looked really nice in those waders. Especially when you took your shirt off.”
    “And here I thought you were concentrating on your navigation.”
    “I could do that job in my sleep.”
    “I like it,” Ronan said. “The work. I really do.”
    She pushed up on her elbow. “Yeah?”
    “It’s exhausting, but there’s something about it that makes it satisfying. You’re growing something that people can eat. Something really good to eat. I build yachts for rich people. People who really don’t need yachts.”
    “But they’re really beautiful yachts,” she said.
    “How do you know?”
    “Lettie Trowbridge checked you out on Google and she left me a file with all sorts of pictures. I really liked the one you built for that senator from Oregon.”
    “Really? That was one of my favorites, too.” He paused. “Who is Lettie